NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel knows Will Levis would benefit from playing in the team’s final two games this season — if the rookie quarterback’s sprained left ankle allows that opportunity.
As for Levis, having to watch one game after starting eight in a row was tough enough for him, and he made clear Wednesday he’s anxious to get back on the playing field.
“I just want to go out there and win games and leave the season with a good taste in my mouth, you know?” Levis said. “We’ve had some tough losses, and looking to just get the little things corrected, especially playing a team this week who we just played two weeks ago.”
The Titans (5-10) visit the Houston Texans (8-7) on Sunday, the same AFC South Division opponent that sacked Levis seven times in Tennessee’s 19-16 overtime loss on Dec. 17 in Nashville. The last sack came late in overtime and bent Levis’ left leg, aggravating the ankle injury the rookie had been playing through since mid-November.
Levis missed two practices last week and was limited Friday with his left leg heavily taped. Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill made his first start since spraining his right ankle Oct. 15, with Tennessee having turned to Levis — the 33rd pick of this year’s draft — during the team’s open week.
Tannehill didn’t fare much better. He was sacked six times in a 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, including twice on the Titans’ final possession inside the last minute. Tannehill threw for 152 yards, and the one touchdown pass for Tennessee came from running back Derrick Henry.
Levis moved well in the period of practice open to reporters Wednesday and was listed as practicing fully. He said pain tolerance is the issue now, and he said “it would be a lot of fun to compete against” fellow rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The No. 2 overall pick, Stroud has missed the past two games while in the concussion protocol, but he practiced Wednesday and the Texans hope to have him back Sunday.
Stroud has passed for 3,631 yards and 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions for the Texans, who remain in contention for the division title and a spot in the playoffs.
“What he’s been able to do has been really impressive,” said Levis, who passed for 199 yards and posted the first touchdown run of his NFL career in the loss to Houston, which eliminated Tennessee from the playoff chase.
Vrabel said Levis wasn’t close enough to playing against Seattle. The coach does see the chance to play in the final two games as being “invaluable reps.”
“I would anticipate a great road environment,” Vrabel said. “Playing on the road in a loud environment, and being able to handle the operation, and work the offense, I know that’s something that’s always critical. So I want everybody that can play to possibly play.”
With another start, Levis would become the third rookie quarterback in franchise history to start at least nine games. Vince Young started 13 in 2006 and Marcus Mariota started 12 in 2015.
Levis is the only quarterback on Tennessee’s roster to throw more touchdown passes this season than Henry, whose two are tied Tannehill. Levis has thrown for 1,792 yards with eight touchdown passes and four interceptions despite being sacked 27 times.
The rookie ranks third in the NFL among qualifiers in averaging 12.19 yards per completion this season.